In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, Mishawn Nolan sits down with serial entrepreneur, designer, and technologist Nate Siggard—known for creating Skin Motion, the viral Soundwave tattoo concept, and for advising founders through his company Authentic Creative.

Nate shares how a lifelong drive to “take things apart” evolved into building websites in the early days of the internet, writing software as a teenager, and moving through distinct “seasons” of creativity—from tech to tattooing and back again. Together, Mishawn and Nate explore what it really takes to navigate change, build businesses aligned with values, and stay grounded while the future accelerates.

They discuss:

• how Nate went from tech to tattooing (and back to tech)
• what happened when Skin Motion went viral—and what founders face when the internet turns on them
• why creativity is a business superpower (and why mentors are rare)
• how Nate approaches AI as a practical tool and “cultural mirror”
• why authenticity and values matter more as technology amplifies behavior
• leadership realities: paradox, pressure, imposter syndrome, and founder loneliness
• why honesty and psychological safety are non-negotiable in healthy companies
• Nate’s work on wildfire risk solutions, scalability, and community-level resilience

A conversation about reinvention, alignment, and how to build with clarity when the ground is shifting.

In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan talks with the extraordinary Karen Somers—an actress turned filmmaker, photographer, documentary director, music photographer, and now property developer and community builder.

Karen shares her remarkable path from neurodivergent kid with a Brownie camera, to conservatory-trained actor, to commercial producer, reality TV director, Grammy photographer, and embedded documentary filmmaker working around the world. She recounts stories about:

• crawling across Arctic ice to film polar bears
• shooting live music and touring with major bands
• being hired as a one-woman camera/audio/lighting team for studios
• fighting gender bias in camera and directing roles
• creating her first micro-budget film Robert Rodriguez–style
• building a career through grit, reinvention, and stubborn determination

Karen then explains how that same world-building instinct now fuels her passion projects: directing Pursuing the Light about Bill Strickland and systemic poverty, investing her life savings into rehabilitating multifamily housing in Jamestown, NY, launching her ethical development brand Rivet & Roost, and helping creatives leverage grants, community partnerships, and storytelling to build sustainable impact.

This is a wide-ranging, energizing conversation about creativity, flow, courage, risk, and how the creative mind can shape real-world change.

🎧 Listen to learn how world-building on set can become world-building in life.

In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan sits down with David Ackert, CEO and Co-Founder of PipelinePlus, best-selling author of The Short List, and one of the most respected business development thought leaders for professional service firms.

David shares how his early life in theater — from Carnegie Mellon to Los Angeles acting stages — became the foundation for the superpowers he uses today: public speaking, presence, connection, improvisation, and the ability to simplify complex ideas. He and Mishawn explore how creative experiences shape leadership, how professionals can build deeper relationships by focusing on “the short list,” and why embracing imperfection and workshop-style thinking is essential in a disrupted business environment.

This episode is a masterclass in authenticity, flow, reinvention, and the creative roots behind successful business-making.

In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan talks with Emily Aiken, founder of The Story Studio, about the power of authenticity, storytelling, and creative reinvention in business and life.

Emily shares how her path from NBC page to brand strategist was shaped by curiosity and courage — and how she teaches creators and companies to build trust through their authentic story.

Together, they discuss:

• How storytelling creates trust in a post-truth world
• What “creative abundance” means for Gen Z and Gen Alpha
• How to turn authenticity into a strategic business advantage
• Why being seen is the key to bravery and connection

🎧 Listen now to discover how aligning your truth with your story can transform your business and your life.

In this inspiring episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan speaks with Zubaida Bai, President & CEO of Grameen Foundation, a global organization helping women and families escape poverty through entrepreneurship.

A mechanical engineer by training and designer by passion, Zubaida shares how a single moment in a rural clinic sparked her transition from building machines to building solutions that change lives — starting with her groundbreaking JanmaClean Birth Kit.

Together, Mishawn and Zubaida explore:

• How empathy can power innovation and leadership
• Why systems, not just individuals, must evolve to enable women entrepreneurs
• Strategies for overcoming resistance to change
• How organizations stay grounded in their values amid constant disruption
• What “flow” and alignment mean in leadership and life

Zubaida’s journey from engineer to global changemaker is a masterclass in purpose, alignment, and impact.

🎧 Listen now to learn how engineering empathy can transform business — and the world.

In the premiere episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan sits down with Jess Weiner — cultural expert, author, and CEO of Talk to Jess — whose work has helped redefine how global brands like Dove and Mattel approach representation, creativity, and authenticity.

Together, they explore how creativity and empathy fuel meaningful business, the importance of reinvention, and Jess’s philosophy of being an “Actionist” — someone who turns intention into impact.

💡 This conversation dives into what it means to build a business with heart — where purpose and creativity move in step.

In this episode:

• How creativity and business intersect
• The story behind Dove’s “Real Beauty” and Barbie’s reinvention
• Why authenticity is a business superpower
• How small steps create lasting cultural change

🎙️ Part of The LOOK.Legal Pods from Nolan Heimann LLP, lawyers for creative business makers.